Parent Handbook (revised February 2010) 1 INTRODUCTION The intent of this handbook is to acquaint you with O.K. Kids, Inc., and to explain its daily operations. Please keep this handbook for your reference. O.K. Kids, Inc. is a parent -managed, non -discriminatory, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to providing quality care for school-aged children, grades K-6, in the Ichabod Crane Central School District. It operates before -school, after-school, and vacation programs at two school sites. Although O.K. Kids, Inc. uses space in district buildings, it operates independently of the Ichabod Crane Central School District. Enrollment in programs operated by O.K. Kids, Inc. is available to families without regard to race, color, sex, religion or national origin. Parents should meet with the Program Director to discuss a child's special needs prior to submitting a registration form. The program is available on a first-come, first-served basis. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE O.K. Kids, Inc. is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which in turn is led by an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee consists of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The remaining members of the Board of Directors are parents of children enrolled in the program and community representatives. Program parents interested in serving on the Board of Directors or a Board Committee (e.g., finance, personnel, or program development) should contact the Program Director. STAFF The Program Director manages and oversees each of the programs. O.K. Kids, Inc is registered with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a school- age childcare program. Our agency meets mandated requirements regarding staff/child ratios and staff qualifications. The Program Director and Counselors staff each site. OPERATING PROCEDURES Communications The telephone number of the O.K. Kids, Inc. program is 758- 9528. Questions regarding enrollment status, fees, payments, etc., should be addressed to this number. In addition, the Program Director has a mailbox at each site. Please feel free to place questions, suggestions or concerns in this box. If you include your name and telephone number, the Program Director will get back to you. In case of an emergency, the Program Director can be paged at 484 -0237, a message on our voice mail will indicate when this is the primary number to contact us. Parent Mailboxes Mailboxes are set up for each family enrolled at a site. Mailboxes should be checked daily for information regarding program activities, newsletters, registration forms and other important information. Hours of Operation The hours and location of operation are as follows: Before School (Primary School): 7:00 AM -8:30 AM 2 After School (Middle School Cafeteria): School Dismissal -6:00 PM Where needed, students are bused in the morning from the Before -School Program Site to their school, and in the afternoon from their school to the After- School Program Site. Late Pick -Up Fee Children must be picked up by the end of the program day. Parents will be charged $15.00 for the first 1- 15 minutes past 6:00 PM, and $1.00 for every minute thereafter. This fee must be paid to the Program Director in cash. The program site clock determines time. Before- School Program Adults must accompany children to the site and sign them in each day. Failure to accompany children to the before-school site and to sign them in will result in temporary suspension of services for this child (3-day suspension, after which the child may return to the program). Children will be released to their classrooms and for appropriate busing when the school day begins. It is not necessary to notify the program site if your child will be absent from the Before-School Program. Unscheduled School Opening Delays If the Ichabod Crane Central School District delays the time of school opening, such as a delay for snowy or icy roads, the before-school program of O.K. Kids, Inc. will operate in accordance with the delay of the school district. For example, a 2-hour school delay will result in the program opening at 9:00 AM rather than 7:00 AM. After- School Program Parents and others authorized to pick up children are obligated to inform a staff person when they arrive to sign out their children. Parents must sign out when they pick up their children. Children will only be released to a parent or other adult previously authorized to pick up their child. Authorization for pick up was indicated on the Authorization Form at the time of registration. Changes in authorization must be in writing and may be changed with the Program Director. Please adhere to this procedure, as it is designed to protect the children. Any person not known to staff members will be required to provide proof of identification (driver's license). Only people listed on a child's release authorization will be allowed to pick up a child, unless the program receives a note from parents stating that someone else will pick up their child. It is imperative that parents notify the After-School Program if a child will be absent (see Absentee Policy below). If a child does not arrive and the program site has not been notified of his/her absence, the Program Director will take the following steps: 1. Contact school office / bus garage 2. Call parent(s) 3. Call the child's home 4. Log the above steps in the site phone log. Absentee Policy In the event of illness, vacation or other absence (Scouts, dance, intramural, etc. ), the After- School Program site must be notified. Notifications to the school are not passed on to O.K. Kids, Inc. 3 The parent must call the program site no later than 3:00 PM, and leave a message. Do not call the school office. Program Site Telephone: # 758- 9528 No provision can be made for tuition reimbursement due to absence, as overhead and staff costs are fixed. Wait List The after-school program has a wait list for families wishing to enroll their children. Families are initially listed on the wait list according to the date they applied for registration into the program. Once a family has been offered a position in the after- school program, the family can take the spot or decline the spot. If the family chooses to decline the spot, their name will go to the bottom of the wait list and the next eligible family will be offered the spot. Each family on the wait list will be sent a letter periodically to inform them as to where their child is on the wait list. Families are put on the wait list when the program has received a registration form and a check for $25. Emergency Early Dismissals School closing and emergency early dismissals will be announced on the following stations: WHUC AM 1230 FM 93.5 WQBK AM1300 FM 104.5 WGY AM 810 FM 99.5 WROW AM 590 FM 95.5 WFLY FM 92.3 WPTR AM 1540 WPYX FM 106.5 WTRY AM 980 Television channels 6, 10 & 13 O.K. Kids, Inc. will not open on days that the Ichabod Crane Central Schools are closed due to extreme weather conditions or other emergencies. In the event of early dismissal from school due to inclement weather or other emergency, children who are regularly scheduled to attend O.K. Kids, Inc. After-School Program will be bused home, as O.K. Kids, Inc WILL NOT OPERATE that day. It is the responsibility of the parent to obtain in advance from the school, the bus route number that their child(ren) must take home in such a circumstance. PLEASE NOTE: Arrangements for emergency care are the responsibility of the parents. The O.K. Kids, Inc. staff will attempt to notify parents if the school district decides to close early. However, parents must have an emergency dismissal plan on record with the child’s school. Visitations O.K. Kids, Inc. has an open door policy. Any parent or guardian may observe the operation of the program. Parents/guardians of children in O.K. Kids, Inc. care are allowed unlimited access to program premises and to their children at any time, whether visits are scheduled or unannounced. We are always happy to answer any questions, and encourage you to share your comments or concerns with the Program Director. Regular communication with the Program Director is one way in which you can contribute to the quality of your child's care. Discipline Policy O.K. Kids, Inc. strives for each child to have a safe and enjoyable time while at the program. To help our staff achieve this aim, reasonable limits for behavior are established. These limits are appropriate 4 to the developmental level of the child, and consider health, safety and the rights of the individual, as well as the needs of the group. A positive approach is used to guide children. Methods include: redirection, logical and natural consequences, limit setting, modeling, providing choices, anticipating situations and recognition of appropriate behavior. All children are expected to adhere to the program-wide rules listed below: • Children and staff are to treat one another with respect and courtesy; • Show respect for school property and the property of others; • Use acceptable language ...no yelling, swearing, or name calling; • Fighting is not allowed. ..keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself; • Walk in the building ...running is acceptable in the gym and on the playground; • Cooperate, share with others, follow directions and obey the staff. Every effort will be made by staff to integrate a child into the program.